Motoroids

Scoop! 2010 Bajaj Pulsar 220 Naked

2010-01-13T00:03:00.000-08:00

We told you the brawnier, naked Pulsar 220 was on its way, and viola! we already have the scoop pics of the new streetfighter in flesh! The new bike brings back the styling standard set by the Pulsar 200 and houses within itself the highly acclaimed 32mm venturi carbureted 220cc engine from the 2009 Pulsar 220 DTS-i. To check out the pics and more info on the new Pulsar 220 Naked, check out www.motoroids.com now!

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Gulf and Sportscraft India to organise 'Foster a Child' Rally

2010-01-10T23:27:00.000-08:00

Gulf and Sportscraft India to organise the 'Foster a Child' Rally between the 27th to 31st of January 2010. More information on
http://motoroids.com/news/615-gulf-foster-a-child-rally.html

Kawasaki Ninja 250 R launch date announced

2009-09-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

it's official now. Kawasaki Ninja 250R is finally hitting the roads in India. Bajaj Auto has confirmed the launch date of the bike as 6th and 7th of October. The Bike will first be launched in Pune and subsequently across India. We are expecting a price tag of under 2lakh OTR Pune, but Bajaj Auto may just pull a surprise on all its rivals by pricing the bike even lower.
Stay tuned for more updates, and trust us to bring you the ride report of the baby Ninja before anyone else!

New Yammies for the festive season

2009-09-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

We told you in the September issue of the Motoroids2 e-mag that Yamaha is on the brink of launching the V-Max in India very soon. Well, here's the word from the horse's mouth! The Indian subsidy of Yamaha Motor has indeed put the V-Max up for grabs provided you have Rs. 20-lakh to spare for the torque monster. As for the colours, we are not sure whether its the 2009 or the 2010 liveries that will make their way into the peninsula, but since the engine remains unchanged for the upcoming year, rest assured that you are getting the same bang for the buck as the biking brotherhood outside India.

Also joining the V-Max on the Indian showroom floors are two new limited production colour schemes of the FZ16 and the Fazer. We have already posted pics of the LE FZ16 below this post. Stay tuned for pics of the Fazer LE...
In the meanwhile, feast your eyes on the hi-res wallpapers of the V-Max HERE.

Limited edition FZ16 photos

2009-09-13T04:10:00.000-07:00

As mentioned earlier about the Limited Edition Yamahas, we finally get our hands on the photos of the new limited edition FZ16!

Special thanks to our reader, Aditya Nath for the pictures!!

Honda VFR to feature world's first twin-clutch for bikes

2009-09-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has developed the Dual Clutch Transmission, the world's firstfully automatic motorcycle dual-clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes.

The new transmission provides riders with a sporty riding experience, combined with easy operation and superior transmission efficiency, which delivers fuel economy equal to or better than a conventional manual transmission. The new VFR large-displacement sport bike equipped with the new transmission will be released in Europe and North America in 2010, with sales to commence in Japan at a later date.

This world's first motorcycle dual clutch transmission features a light, compact design that allows it to be combined with existing engines without substantial layout modification. Further, the new transmission delivers the precise acceleration control which riders require thanks to electronic control technology that helps ensure smooth, seamless gear changes. In order to respond to rider demands in a broad range of situations, the transmission is equipped with three operating modes, including two full-auto modes (D-mode for regular operation and S-mode for sporty riding); and a 6-speed manual mode, which delivers the same shift feel as a manual transmission. Honda intends to gradually expand the deployment of the new transmission to more and more of its large-displacement motorcycles, particularly sports models destined for use in traditional large motorcycle markets.

The new transmission features a dual clutch transmission configuration in which independent clutches are employed for the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), respectively. The two clutches operate alternately to effect gear changes. For example, when changing from 1st to 2nd gear, the computer detects the up-shift and engages 2nd gear, then releases the 1st-gear clutch while engaging the 2nd-gear clutch to achieve a seamless gear change. While some existing dual-clutch transmissions arebulky, the new system employs original technologies such as dual input shafts, an innovative in-line clutch design, and concentration of hydraulic circuitry beneath the engine cover to achieve a compact design. Compactness and lightness is further enhanced through the use of a simple shift mechanism design based on that of a conventional motorcycle shift drum. Optimised shift scheduling achieves fuel economy equal to or better than that of a fully manual transmission, enabling Dual Clutch Transmission to deliver both sporty riding and environmental performance combined.

Yamaha to launch FZ16 and Fazer special edition

2009-09-07T01:11:00.000-07:00

Yamaha India has two new editions of the FZ16 and the Fazer ready with it. We are expecting a launch any time now. From what we hear, no changes have been made to the cycle parts - only the paint scheme has been altered. We haven't yet seen the pictures of the new bikes, but we're trying to get some snaps and will let you know as soon as we have the pictures. From what we have heard, the new paint scheme is a combination of blue, black and white. Stay tuned. We'll be back with more news on this very soon

Video: Rob Dyrdeks takes on Ken Block in Gymkhana 2.1!

2009-09-04T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ken Block features in another kickbutt video with old friend and team mate, Rob Dyrdeks in Gymkhana version 2.1.

Watch Dyrdeks in the custom made shifter car, thats identical to Block's Subaru WRX STI , getting almost run over by the bigger monster!

Mitsubishi "Heart in Mouth" off-roading experience

2009-08-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

HM-Mitsubishi will be organising an off-road driving rally christened "Heart in Mouth" on the 6th of September. The event is being organized by Sportscraft for Pajero owners in and around Mumbai. The Pajero owners along with their family members and friends will get to experience the off-road capabilities of their beloved SUV. A roughly 50kms course comprising of sandy plains, slush filled streches, dirt roads and water crossings has been chalked out for the participants.

According to Mr.Pritam Saikia, Head of Marketing, HM-Mitsubishi Motors, the heart in the mouth experience provides the customer the real capabilities of the Pajero's 4x4 prowess. He also said that it aims to prove to the customer that whatever terrain he or she may be in, with a Pajero it becomes a paved road.

HM-Mitsubishi has been organising such events lately (Chandigarh) to promote the off-roading capabilities of the Pajero to its owners. The manufacturer intends to continue hosting such events to promote the appeal of off-road driving as a form of adventure sports.

For participation contact Sportscraft at: sportscraft@gmail.com
Office telephone no: 022-23677631

'Yamaha Performance Kit' Prices Announced!

2009-08-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

The Yamaha performance parts that have been creating so much buzz have finally been valued! The prices are as follows:

The ex- showroom price of Muffler Kit (For FZ16 and R15) is Rs. 16,000 /- .

This kit includes

a) Racing Exhaust System
b) Exhaust Pipe
c) Bracket Kit Exhaust

The ex- showroom price of Engine Kit (For R15) is Rs. 31,000 /- . This kit includes
a) ECU
b) Cam Shift
c) Muffler Kit

The ex-showroom price of Body kit (For FZ16 and R15) is Rs. 20,000/- . This kit includes

a) Brake Caliper Bracket
b) Brake Disc
c) Brake Hose Front
d) Brake Hose Rear
e) Front Brake Master Cylinder
f) Step Plate

Incomming: Harley Davidson in two days!

2009-08-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks back we showed you the new 2010 range of Harley Davidson motorcycles that will soon go on sale around the world. Some of the most important models will come too India too! Within the next two days Harley Davidson will be officially unveiling their dealership in India. Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating, Harley Davidson, will be doing the honours on the 27th of this month. There is no official confirmation with regards to the product line up or the number of dealerships or their location as of now. We are in touch with our sources at Harley Davidson and will update the details as and when they reach us. The American motorcycle marque's official teaser for its India launch is already live. Do have a look at www.harley-davidson.in and keep checking the Motoroids Blog for more info!

Toyota Fortuner 3.0 MT launched at 21.5 lakh Rupees.

2009-08-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

The long awaited SUV from the Toyota arsenal has finally been launched in India. August. For starters, the Fortuner has been launched with a 3.0 diesel engine and a 5-speed manual gearbox only. Toyota has surprised the competition with a killer price tag. Compared to soft-roaders like the CR-V, Captiva and the Outlander, the Fortuner is a true-blue SUV with all-wheel drive and a low range gearbox as standard. It is practical too with a usable set of third row seats. Going by Indian publics affinity for big SUV's with equally huge C-R-D-I powerplants the Fortuner looks likely to be headed for a great success story in India as well.

Here's an overveiw of how the Fortuner compares to its rivals(all prices, On-Road, Mumbai).

Toyota Fortuner:

3.0 MT - 21.5 lakhs, 3.0 litre 4-cyl D4-D Diesel, 168 bhp, 343 Nm, 7-seater.

Ford Endeavour (Current):

2.5 XLT 4x2 MT - 17.85 lakhs, 2.5 litre 4-cyl TDCi Diesel, 143 bhp, 330 Nm, 7-seater.

3.0 Thunder+ 4x4 MT- 20.5 lakhs, 3.0 litre 4-cyl TDCi Diesel, 154 bhp, 380 Nm, 7-seater.

Ford Endeavour Facelift (Incumbent):

2.5 XLT 4x2 MT - 18.85 lakhs(estimated), 2.5 litre 4-cyl TDCi Diesel, 143 bhp, 330 Nm, 7-seater.
3.0 Thunder+ 4x4 AT- 21.5 lakhs(estimated), 3.0 litre 4-cyl TDCi Diesel, 154 bhp, 380 Nm, 7-seater.

Honda CRV:

2.0 2WD MT - 25.96 lakhs, 2.0 litre 4-cyl iVTEC Petrol, 142 bhp, 190 Nm, 5-seater.

2.4 AWD MT - 27.63 lakhs, 2.4 litre 4-cyl iVTEC Petrol, 160 bhp, 218 Nm, 5-seater.

2.4 AWD MT - 28.48 lakhs, 2.4 litre 4-cyl iVTEC Petrol, 160 bhp, 218 Nm, 5-seater.

Chevrolet Captiva:

2.0 LT MT - 23.86 lakhs, 2 litre 4-cyl VCDi Diesel, 148 bhp, 320 Nm, 7-seater.

2.0 LTZ AT - 25.66 lakhs, 2 litre 4-cyl VCDiDiesel, 148 bhp, 320 Nm, 7-seater.

Mitsubishi Outlander:

2.4 MIVEC - 23.16lakhs, 2.4 litre 4-cyl MIVEC Petrol, 170 bhp, 225 Nm, 5-seater.

Mitsubishi Pajero:

SFX - 23.65 lakhs, 2.8 litre 4-cyl TDCi Diesel, 118 bhp, 290 Nm, 7-seater.

Scoop! VW Polo caught testing in India!

2009-08-24T20:31:00.001-07:00

What you can see in the video below is the Volkswagen Polo on test in India. Volkswagen is in its final testing procedures for the Polo before it will be unveiled at the 2010 Auto Expo. To be manufactured at VW's new state-of-the-art Chakan plant, the Polo will set new benchmarks in terms of quality, fit and finish and refined engineering.

The Polo for India will come with three choices of engines - 3-cylinder 1.2-litre/70PS and 4-cylinder 1.4-litre/84PS petrol mills and a frugal 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine. While many would speculate these to be similar to the HTP and PD engines doing duty in the Polo's familial sibling, the Skoda Fabia, take our word for it, the Polo will house completely new engines. In fact, the Fabia in turn will have its powerplants replaced with the Polo's engines once the VW goes on sale.

The hatch is one of the most awaited small cars for India, primarily owing to its competitive target pricing. If our sources are to be believed, then VW is all set to price the Polo in the Rs. 4.25 to 6 lakh price bracket which will pitch this potent hatch against market leaders like the Swift/Ritz and other hot hatches like Grande Punto, Indica Vista and the i20. Expect the car to go on sale instantly after its unveiling at the Expo in January 2010.

Special thanks to Motoroids' eagle eyed reader Satyajeet Bhaskare for the video capture!

Mahindra's Scooter-ing Ambitions

2009-08-24T00:45:00.000-07:00

Mahindra has been taking steps to develop its brand value in the Indian two-wheeler segment ever since it took over Kinetic Motors. With the Flyte relaunched, the company is now looking forward to expanding its product portfolio with three more products. Mahindra will be achieve this by (re)launching the now defunct Kinectic Blaze and the Kinetic 4S with a cosmetic makeover similar to the new Flyte. It is likely that there would be no technical changes on these scooters, apart from a few tweaks for the new emission norms. The first two scooter launches would be to merely establish its presence in the scooter market, while the thrid will be the a completely new product to highlight Mahindra's foray into the two wheeler market. The Blaze and the 4S will be see the light of the day in about a months time. The company's third scooter however, which will be an entirely new offering from yesteryear Kinetic's SYM range, is likely to be available in showrooms in around six months time.

The company is reportedly looking at acquisitions to enter the Chinese, Taiwan and European scooter markets as well. Mahindra is reportedly trying to acquire Italy-based two-wheeler manufacturer Malaguti - which will help Mahindra enter the higher end scooter segments in other two-wheeler markets as well.

Scoop! Hyundai i40 for India

2009-08-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

What you can see here are pictures of the new mid-size sedan from Hyundai which will go on sale early next year. This model is set to replace the current Sonata line-up, with an aggressive design which is now defining all the latest Hyundai's. And you guessed it right, the 'Sonata' badge might be dropped as well, to follow the Korean carmaker's new 'i' naming conventions.
This sedan will most likely be conferred with the 'i40' tag when it takes on the mid-size luxury sedan segment. The car will grace Hyundai's exhibit at the upcoming Auto Expo and is expected to go on sale in India by Q2 2010 at a price bracket ranging from Rs. 14-lakh to Rs. 19-lakh for the petrol and diesel variants. We speculate the India model to be powered by the same range of Theta-2 engines that do duty under the current model. As the photos show, the interiors will sport an upmarket feel as compared to the current model, and Hyundai are to be believed, will also sport high quality materials similar to the ones we have already witnessed in the i10/i20. At the price bracket mentioned above, we feel this car will be one helluva value offering and has the fire-power to break the jinx that has been plaguing the India Sonata all this while!

Stay tuned for more news and scoops...

World Exclusive Scoop! Chevy Beat caught undisguised!

2009-08-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

We caught Chevy's new small car for India, completely undisguised! This car will be christened the 'Beat' for Chevrolet's global market and will essentially replace the Spark (M200 platfrom) the world over. For India however, this hatch will co-exist alongside the Spark as a more premium offering. The car will be powered by a 1.2-litre, 82bhp Chevrolet Family-B petrol engine to start off and will later be joined by a 3-cylinder 936cc, 57bhp Multijet oilburner from FIAT. With almost 140 Nm of torque, this would be one potent city slicker!

Design-wise, the Beat is radical as you can see in the video. Apart from the large sweeping headlights, the other bit we love are the new type of rear door handles which are now integrated behind the rear window. Its surely taken a toll on the window space, but adds a streak of sportiness to the car's overall appeal. The Beat will be manufactured in Chevy's new Talegaon factory and will be unveiled at the upcoming Auto Expo. Expect it to go on sale instantly afterward with a price tag in the range of its rivals - the i10 and the A-star.

Infiniti M

2009-08-17T03:59:00.000-07:00

This is Infiniti's answer to the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6 and the Mercedes E-Class. Infiniti is Nissan's answer to the German luxury sedans, just like Toyota has Lexus. The M will be launched with a 3.7 litre V6, which will send power exclusively to the rear-wheels. More importantly though, the M will get a 3.0-litre V6 diesel and a hybrid version by end of 2010.

Traditionally, these Japanese rivals have never been able to make a dent on the Germans except for the American market. However with such competent products their popularity is surely on the rise.
Is it coming to India? No, at least not anytime soon. Nissan itself hasn't established itself in India yet and it will take at least a couple of years more till they get the Infinity brand to India.

Bentley Mulsanne

2009-08-17T03:09:00.000-07:00

What you see in the pics is the new Bentley Mulsanne that was unveiled at the Concours in Pebble Beach, California. The Mulsanne tag was earlier worn by the predecessor of the Arnage, which will be replaced by the new Mulsanne in 2010. The 'Mulsanne' name is derived from the 'Mulsanne Straight', the fastest straight at Le Mans, where Bentley has recorded five historic victories. The Arnage been around, largely unchanged, since 1998 and was getting a bit long in the tooth.

The new Mulsanne is a clean sheet design, developed on Bentley's new platform specifically developed for this car. It looks like a modern Bentley, as contemporary as the Continental albeit with design cues from the Arnage. The Mulsanne will be built with exquisite detailing with each car taking 400 hours to build of which 200 will be consumed by hand-building tasks.
Power comes from a 6.75 litre V8 with over 500 bhp capable of hurtling the car to 300Kph.
Bentley is planning to sell around 700 Mulsannes a year, priced at around £200,000 (1.6 Crores exclusive of taxes).

Yamaha India plans to launch scooters

2009-08-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

In our previous posts, we had discussed how Yamaha India plans to up the ante in the performance segment by plonking in a fuel injected 250cc single in its Fazer and FZ models. But that's not all Yamaha India plans to do. While 150cc and bigger engined bikes can create an enviable brand name for Yamaha, the volumes and profits in the great Indian two-wheeler market are still primarily governed by the 100-125cc bikes and scooters (as demonstrated by Honda). Suzuki, the third Japanese player in the Indian two-wheeler market has been banking on its Access scooter to generate volumes and the ploy seems to have worked rather well for the manufacturer. Now, Yamaha India also seems keen on taking a leaf out of Honda and Suzuki's books and claim its share in the scooter market by introducing some new models.

We cannot be sure about what exactly Yamaha India have in store for the Indian market, but we have seen the Yamaha Vino, Mio and Nouvo models (from the South East Asian market) parked in a Yamaha showroom earlier this year.

Yamaha Mio
Displacement 113cc
Max Power 8.13PS @8000 rpm
Max torque 7.53Nm @6500 rpm

The Mio/Mio Soul of these scooters has a good chance to make it to India, but we suspect Yamaha is also looking at its European scooter lineup to pick the most suitable scooters for India.

Our sources have told us that the 50cc BW's series is one of the strongest contenders for the entry level market.

Yamaha BW's series
Displacement 49.2cc
Max power 3.67PS@6800 rpm
Max torque 4.0Nm@5000 rpm

We think that higher up the ladder the 125cc fuel injected Cygnus X or the Vity will make the cut as their styling and specs are more suited to the Indian taste.
We're still trying to get some more information on the exact scooter models that Yamaha is mulling for India. One thing, however, is sure - we'll soon witness Yamaha scooters zipping on the India roads. We expect an early-mid 2010 launch for these machine in the Indian market.

Yamaha Cygnus X
Engine type Air cooled, 4 stroke single cylinder
Displacement 125 cc
Maximum power 10.88PS@8,500 rpm
Maximum torque 9.3Nm@7,500 rpm

Yamaha Vity
Displacement 125 cc
Maximum power 8.7PS@7,500 rpm
Maximum torque 9.2Nm@ 6,000 rpm

Click here for the Motoroids lowdown on the Yamaha Fazer 250.

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India'a first bike e-magazine - absolutely free!

2010 MotoGP season buzz

2009-08-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

With half the MotoGP 2009 season already underway, its that time of the year now when the interesting buzz about the 2010 rider-shifts starts erupting. The first bit came in the form of the brave rumor indicating FIAT Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo's shift to the Repsol Honda factory team for 2010. But that seems to be over now, with Lorenzo most likely continuing alongside Valentino Rossi - making sure he has atleast the same (if not better) equipment levels as Rossi to continue their battle for supremacy.

The second bit of news comes in the form of Bautista's confirmed seat for the Rizla Suzuki team. The 250cc championship contender will take advantage of the fact that Suzuki have received a dispensation from the rookie rule which usually forces new entrants to sign with satellite teams. This will earn him a factory seat - something that he has been desiring for quite some time now. Since his current partners, Aspar, are trying in vain to convince him to join their MotoGP operations, it seems that their two bikes would find the reins under Tony Elias and Hector Barbera!

Tony Elias' Gresini seat on the other hand will be filled 250cc category's racing wonder Marco Simonchelli. His team mate will be none other than Macro Melandri - who will make a comeback to the Gresini team after having spent the last two years at Ducati and Kawasaki respectively. In spite of losing factory support this year, the Italian rider has proved his worth in almost each and every race he has participated in, and hence, looks forward to a successful comeback with the San Carlo Gresini outfit.

Stay tuned to the Motoroids Blog as we bring you more exciting news from around the paddock. For other interesting news, reviews and features, download the absolutely free Motoroids2 e-magazine for www.motoroids.com now!

Image Credits: MotoGP Press

Transformers bikes to be auctioned

2009-08-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles will feature the auction of the choppers featured in the latest Transformers movie. The bikes will go under the hammer this weekend. The machines featured alongside the Hollywood siren Megan Fox are prominently featured in the movie.

One of these bikes, built by Big Bear Choppers of California, is expected to be valued between 75,000 and 300,000 dollars. Auction ends Saturday 3.00am UK time and one can bid online.

VW Beetle set for India debut

2009-08-14T03:23:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen India is all set to launch their iconic Beetle in the country in around three months time. The Volkswagen Beetle enjoys the distinction of being longest running and mass produced car of a single design in the world’s history.

The car will be imported through the CBU route from VW’s Mexican plant. Owing to the 110% import duty, the iconic car is likely to retail for around 20 lakhs. The Volkswagen Beetle is currently undergoing testing in the country.

The Beetle will powered by a 1.9 litre TDI engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox. It will also come fully equipped with features like ABS, traction control, front and side airbags, parking sensors, rain sensors and cruise control.

Venom GT to be faster than the Bugatti Veyron?

2009-08-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

The debut supercar from any low-volume ultra-exclusive supercar maker (read Ascari, Koenigsegg, Pagani) is preceded by claims to beat the best 0-100 acceleration and top-speed figures. Following the trend, American tuning firm Hennessey, better known for tinkering with Cadillacs, Corvettes and Dodges is now planning a supercar, to be introduced at the next Geneva Motor Show.

The mid-engined two-seater, christened the Venom GT will be powered by a V8 dishing out a claimed 1,200bhp. Hennessey claim that the new car with so much power and a kerb-weight of less than 1100 Kg will take no more than 2.4 seconds to hit the 100kph mark from a standstill and should be good for a top speed of 272mph.

Those figures could easily shame a Veyron, but as you would assume, its easier said than done. Hennessey have made some real tall claims, let's see whether they manage to live up to them.

Ferrari 458 Italia Ringtones

2009-08-14T01:54:00.001-07:00

There is hardly any petrolhead who is not fascinated by the sound of a roaring V8 with the Ferrari emblem on it! For all such enthusiasts, here are a few sounds clips of the new Italian steed, the F458 Italia. Available in MP3 and iPhone formats:

1. Off The Mark:

2. Acceleration:

3. Overtaking Maneuver:

4. On The Track:

5. On Board:

Tata eyeing Pininfarina?

2009-08-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

The economic downturn is in the process of claiming famed Italian design house and coachbuilder Pininfarina as its latest victim. The automobile design marque is currently owned by parent company Pincar. Pininfarina’s 50.7% stake is up for grabs and Pincar has already hired a bank to help find potential buyers.

According to unconfirmed reports, Pincar is not willing to let go of its complete stake. It is also being reported that the sale of its majority stake in Pininfarina is an outcome of a debt agreement with banks towards the end of 2008.

One name that is currently doing the rounds as a potential buyer is Tata Motors. Pininfarina had earlier designed the Tata Indica and the lately the Prima concept car. Tata Motors which is on a brand acquisition spree, has already bought Jaguar and Land Rover and it is likely that the Italian design marque may also be in its kitty.

Pinninfarina has collaborated with various automobile manufacturers in the designing of cars. Some of its well know creations like the Ferrari California and 599 GTB, Alfa Romeo Spider, Maserati Grantourismo and Quattroporte, which are currently in production.

New Indica Vista Ignis variant with 1.4 petrol engine

2009-08-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

Expected Launch: September 2009
Expected Price: 4.5 to 5.5 lakhs (On-Road)
The Indica Vista hasn't done as well as expected in the market thanks largely to customers not having faith in the Tata brand. So Tata has decided to give the Vista a new lease of life by plonking in Fiat's 1.4 litre petrol power-plant from the Grande Punto. The Vista currently comes with a 1.2 litre engine variant which is a tad underpowered for the car. It was introduced just to keep the car inside government's skewed excise cut parameters for cars with petrol engines smaller than 1.2 litres. The Ignis will be the only Indica variant which wont be eligible for the excise cut driving up its price.

The 1.4 litre engine is good for 90 bhp and 115 Nm of toque. Expect the price to slightly undercut the Swift petrol by 10-20,000 rupees. At that price the Vista will be a sensible alternative to the Swift thanks to better (much better) space and practicality, drivability and value. The engine being a Fiat unit, it will also be as reliable. The top-of the range Aura variant is loaded to gill with a 2-DIN stereo with bluetooth connectivity, steering mounted controls, electronically adjustable mirrors, chunky 175 section 14 inch tyres and last but not the least ABS and 2 airbags.

Devon GTX to attempt the Nurburgring record

2009-08-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

Fed up of all the criticism that Yanks don't make a good handling car, the Americans have decided to teach a thing or two to their European brethren by attempting to lay claim to the holy grail of handling, the Nurburgring-Nordschleife lap record in this car.
What you see here is the Devon GTX in its final production spec. It looks like the Ferrari 599 GTB from some angles and the Alfa 8C Competizione from some others. However it might well be one up on both of them in some ways. It is a proper Supercar with a bespoke interior replete with gull-wing doors n all. It borrows the humongous V10 from the Dodge Viper, tuned to develop upwards of 650 horses.

Devon's attempts are not to be taken lightly though, just last week the GTX lapped Laguna Seca in a record breaking 1m35.075s. Currently, 'the king of the 'ring' record is held by the Radical SR8 which did it in 6m55s.

New Lancer on its way!

2009-08-13T23:15:00.002-07:00

A few days back we told you about HM's plans to launch the Mitsubishi Lancer Ev0-X in India, early next year. But if you are already disappointed by the speculated Rs.40-lakh price tag, then Hindustan Motors might put the smile back on your face!

Come Auto Expo 2010 and you may see HM-Mitsubishi's new Lancer gracing its exhibit. Designed to reflect the familial connection with the Evo-X, this model, if launched in India will replace the existing Lancer Cedia line-up. Doing duty under the new hood will be the 1.8-litre MIVEC petrol engine. There would be a frugal 2.0-litre diesel powerplant too.

This model is loaded with all the latest safety and dirver aids along with the fun quotient that one can associate with a 'Mitsubishi Lancer', albiet with less than half the horses.

Scoop! Hyundai's new SUV for India

2009-08-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Wondering where the Hyundai Tuscon suddenly disappeared? Well, to start off, the SUV never took off on the sales charts which in the past couple of years, forced the Korean car maker to give it the axe-treatment. However, with the overall SUV market showing a healthy growth now, Hyundai has now decided to make a re-entry into this segment.

And it looks good too! Seen here are the scoop pics of the Korean car maker's entry level SUV. As you can see, the car sports an aggressive stance as compared to the Tuscon that was sold here. Hyundai's recent philosophy of rating quality higher than quantity are evident from this new vehicle. The car will be powered by a 2.2-litre engine for India. The 2010 Tuscon is based on the 'ix-onic concept' which Hyundai showcased a few months back. Expect this SUV to go on sale in March 2010 and may be renamed as a the iX35 to gel with their 'i' naming convention.

Asian Road Racing Championship round in Chennai

2009-08-12T07:31:00.001-07:00

Finally there’s something for Indian bike racing aficionados to cheer about. The fourth round of the Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship will be held in the country. The earlier three races of the season took place at Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia in the month of April, May and June respectively. In each round, two races are held in the 600cc and 115cc engine (underbone) category. The fourth round is scheduled to take place from 3rd to 6th September at the Madras Motor Sports Club race track in Irungattukottai, Chennai.

Dilip Roggers, Preetham Dev Moses, and K.Rajni have reportedly confirmed participation in the 600cc class. India is set to host an international race event after more than a decade’s gap. The Petronas Asian Road Racing Championship is one of the important biking events in the Asian continent.

For passes contact:
Madras Motor Sports Club,
123/1, Guru Mansion,
TTK Road, Alwarpet,
Chennai 600 018
You can also drop in a mail at mmsc_chennai@yahoo.co.in or info@madrasmotorsports.in

A-Star achieves 1 lakh milestone

2009-08-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Maruti Suzuki India has rolled out 1,00,000 units of the A-Star. According to R.C.Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India, the car is doing well in the export market and the company is planning to export over 75,000 units of the A-Star by the end of this fiscal.

Bhargava also revealed that Nissan has increased its order of Maruti’s small car to 54,000 units for the current fiscal from 30,000 units. The A-Star is sold in the European market by Nissan with the branding Pixo. The country’s largest car manufacturer claims to have already exported over 50,000 units of the A-Star.

Global Car Sales First half of 2009

2009-08-12T03:30:00.000-07:00

1. Toyota 3,564,105 units -26.0%

2. General Motors 35,52,722 units -21.8%

3. Volkswagen 31,00,300 units -5.1%

4. Hyundai-Kia 21,53,000 units - -

5. Ford 21,45,000 units -30.6%

6. PSA Peugeot-Citroen 15,86,900 units -14.0%

7. Honda 15,86,000 units -21.6%

8. Nissan 15,45,976 units -23.2%

9. Suzuki 11,52,000 units -10.2%

10. Renault 11,06,989 units -16.5%

Volkswagen seems to have survived the recession well as have Hyundai and Suzuki to some extent.
While Ford, Toyota and Nissan and of course GM have suffered huge losses in volumes.

Hyundai pips Ford to become the 4th biggest car maker in the World

2009-08-12T03:05:00.000-07:00

The Korean automobile manufacturer, Hyundai-Kia group has managed to outsell the American giant Ford in global automobile sales by roughly 8000 units, in the first half of 2009.
It has been a rapid rise through the sales charts for Hyundai who was ranked way down in 11th place, just a year ago.
Hyundai attributes its growth to build products suited specifically to local markets. But that doesn't quite seem to be the case. It's new 'i' range of cars (i10,i20,i30...) are more or less same all over the world. In fact its the Genesis which shows us the real secret behind Hyundai's worldwide success. Hyundai targets excellence in quality and engineering as opposed to perfection targeted by its German and Japanese counterparts and delivers products that are 90% as good as its rivals at 60% of their price. It is this fantastic 'value for money' proposition that is responsible for Hyundai's resounding success.

The Yamaha Fazer 250 story - more information

2009-08-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

The question that everyone's been asking after reading about the possible launch of the Fazer 250 on Motoroids is when exactly are they going to introduce it. Well, the 10th Auto Expo is just around the corner, and there cannot be a better platform for the Japanese company to launch the big bike. They'll also showcase what they have in store for the coming years for India.

The Fazer is selling well for Yamaha India with a waiting period of well over 30 days. If a well-styled 150, priced so optimistically can sell so well, we don't think the blokes at Yamaha will have much problem introducing a bigger engine in the same bike for a higher price. And a well styled half-faired bike, with a fuel injected 250cc torquey single, priced in the region of Rs 1 lakh sounds like the perfect offering for someone who wants an all-rounder. FI would mean that the bike won't go breathless, be it while scaling the altitudes of the Himalayas, or while cruising through the highways at sea level - a virtue that's perfect for touring. The well-sorted dynamics and wide rubber on the Fazer would mean that it'll be a great corner carver for the weekends as well.

Yamaha are also planning to increase sales in the 100cc segment as nothing below the Gladiator is moving out of the showrooms. Yamaha are looking very keenly at the scooter segment as well. We have a fair idea of what exactly they want to do in those two segments. Stay tuned for the updates..

Click here for the first part of the Yamaha story about the Fazer 250

Click here to read about Yamaha India's scooter strategy for India.

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first bike e-magazine, absolutely free!

GM speaks for the first time after the economic downfall!

2009-08-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

General Motors, President and CEO, Fritz Henderson, during a product announcement revealed his plans of bringing the American automobile marquee to its former glory.

According to Henderson the days of inadequate cars are over. He stated that GM can’t afford to build rubbish small cars. He also revealed that the money spent on pick-ups and full-size utilities will instead be used to make sure that the economy needs of users are met. The American automobile manufacturer’s prime focus and spending will be on cars and crossovers. He further added that doing a bunch of average products wouldn’t win them anything. “We have a lot of interesting things coming” were his specific words.

The President and CEO also got questioned on ‘His plans to make GM great’. He answered “By being great in the market.... Not by having the most competitive discounts in the market, but by having the best cars, promoting them the best, by differentiating and doing what made GM great in the past: great styling... Value that people don’t expect... We should blow people away with what they get for the money.
Answering on questions related to profitability and balance sheet, Henderson revealed that cash flow will be positive next year. Admitting that the culture of GM needs change, Henderson said that The ‘New GM’ will be a much more nimble business outfit.

GM is also inviting questions on Twitter via @gmblogs. Go ahead and make the most of it!

Super Scoop! India-spec Ninja 250's production pics revealed

2009-08-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

Tired of waiting for the Ninja? Done reading the speculations about the naked/street/modified versions of the Kawasaki pocket rocket? Well, here's the real deal! Motoroids have the latest pictures of the production ready, India-spec Ninja 250.

Seen here for the first time in India, are the pics of Bajaj's production ready version of the Kawasaki quarter litre motorcycle! And as you can see, the Indian authorities have once again managed to degrade the beauty of this Japanese machine by forcing the loud front number plate in the most ungainly position ever. Yet to come is the all-so-important saree guard which will deteriotate its sporty stance further.

The headlights of the new bike won't probably be as functional as the superb projection-beam headlamp of the Pulsar 220, but do the job of endowing the front with oodles of style rather well. The blinker lamps as well as some other body panels will be locally manufactured, making sure you don't have to pay through your nose if ever you drop this Kwacker. We love the angular, chiselled styling of the RVMs and the big wave rotors up front add a lot of oomph to the visuals apart from promising great stopping power for the Ninja. From whatever little we can decipher from these low-res images, the fit and finish of the bike seems to be top notch. Bajaj have done the right thing by not tinkering with the styling of this machine, and it'll be one of the sportiest and the most well-proportioned machines on Indian streets when it makes its debut.

Motoroids have many more pictures and much more dope on the Ninja 250. Stay tuned for more more insights on probably the most awaited bike in India. We'll be back as soon as we are done analysing the pictures and have found out where those high-performance components are coming from.

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first bike e-magazine - absolutely free!

Winners and Losers of July

2009-08-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Lets take a look at winners and losers in the monthly sales for the month of July 2009
Small Cars:

Winner
Maruti's small cars (48,000 units sold), especially the Alto, WagonR, Ritz and Swift doing unbelievable numbers while the Zen Estilo and A-star aren't doing so well. The 800 still soldiers on with 2796 units.
Good news from Tata delivering all the 2475 of the Nano's produced in the first month, but the Indica tag is losing steam with just 8563 sold.
Niether the Punto(1840) nor the Jazz(1037) have sold as much as was expected.
For Hyundai it has been business as usual with its small hatches doing a steady 20,000 units.
GM, despite the bankruptcy in the US, is managing to sell its monthly quota of the 3000 odd Sparks it makes every month.
Skoda is in deep trouble with the Fabia managing to sell a measly 369 units inspite of being generally praised by the press.
Ford surprisingly still sold 85 units of the Fusion.
Stay tuned for monthly sales analysis of other segments...

Loser

Shock News! Michael Shumacher cancels F1 return

2009-08-11T02:42:00.000-07:00

Seven times F1 champion Michael Schumacher isn't filling in for Felipe Massa anymore! In a shock disclosure he said that the injuries sustained due to his bike accidents in recent past are too severe to withstand the extreme stress which is an integral part of F1 racing. Here's what the Champion had to say.

"Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe. I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible.

The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike-accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe. That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. This are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon. As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination already yesterday.

I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."

We are sad. Check out http://www.michaelschumacher.de for more information.

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first bike e-magazine. Absolutely free!

Toyota Fortuner to be launched on 24th August

2009-08-10T23:40:00.000-07:00

How much? 20-22 lakh (expected On-road price).
That means it will go head on against the market leader, the Endeavour. It will be a couple of lakh rupees cheaper than the Captiva and the Outlander and a whopping 6 lakh rupees cheaper than the Honda CR-V.

engines:
a 2.7 Petrol, 160bhp, 241Nm
and more importantly a 3.0 Diesel, 163bhp, 343Nm

What to expect? Bulletproof reliability, good off-road ability and a lot of Fortuners on the road by the end of the year!

Valentino Rossi rides at the IOM:TT!

2009-08-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Valentino Rossi! The demigod of motorcycle racing gets his dose of the holy tarmac at the Isle Of Man TT! Check this video as Valentino Rossi rides alongside the legendary Giacomo Agostini...

And here's MCN's (Motorcycle News) take on the same lap:

MOTOGP: Stoner to go underground!

2009-08-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

Casey Stoner - one of the vital contenders for this year's MotoGP Championship, has been diagnosed of a secret illness which has been leading to his chronic fatigue for the past few races. The Australian will hence take a break from the MotoGP championship for at least the next three races.

While addressing the media, Ducati Boss Livio Suppo said: “Casey is very sorry that he is not able to race, especially as he feels the bike is very competitive. But he said he needs to fix this problem and come back at full strength for Estoril. It is one thing to stop if you are struggling but even more difficult when you know you are capable of winning.”

With Stoner's temporary retirement, Ducati satellite rider Mika Kallio will be promoted to race for the factory team, alongside Nicky Hayden for the next three races of Brno, Indianapolis and Misano. His current team mate Niccolo Canepa on the other hand will be joined by Ducati's WSBK rider Micheal Fabrizio.

Image Credits: Motogp.com

Scoop! Yamaha mulling the Fazer 250 for India

2009-08-10T06:00:00.001-07:00

We all know that Yamaha sells the Fazer 250 in the international market. And we were as disappointed as all of you when the Fazer was launched in India with the small 150cc powerplant of the FZ16. Well, it seems all of us have a reason to cheer, as we've heard reports that Yamaha is seriously considering equipping the bike with a bigger 250cc mill. Our sources have told us that the bike with the bigger, single cylinder 250cc fuel-injected engine is currently at ARAI, undergoing testing, probably even homologation.

The Fazer's chassis, suspension and other cycle parts are strong enough to take the bigger engine, and adding a 250 single to the package with a price tag of close to 1 lakh will make the project sufficiently feasible for Yamaha India. At that price, there will be quite a few takers for the bike as well to generate the requisite volumes for the Japanese bikemaker.

The recently launched Fazer is touted as a touring bike by Yamaha, and the bigger engine will actually endow it with the biggest virtue of a touring bike - bucketloads of torque. The fuel injected single cylinder engine produces roughly 22PS at 7500 rpm. Even after being detuned for the inferior quality Indian fuel, we can expect a healthy peak power output of 20PS, which would probably make the Fazer the fastest production bike in the country. But the more important thing is 20Nm of peak torque that'll make the Fazer a potent tourer with its strong mid-range surge and weight lugging capabilities. Both FZ 16 and the current Fazer are bikes with well-sorted dynamics. A few alterations with the position of the handlebar and footpegs should make the them competent corner carvers as well.

We think Yamaha will make subtle changes to the design of the current FZ and Fazer when they introduce the bigger version. The FZ would still be a streetfighter and the Fazer would be a half-faired machine, but there would be distinguishing elements to make the bigger machines stand out. Yamaha India have a medium-term strategy of introducing a new bike every six months. The new launches will be in line with the strategy. Either the FZ or the Fazer 250 will be launched first, followed by the bigger engined version of the other bike.

We have plenty of dope on Yamaha's other plans for India as well. Click here for the second part of the story..

Click here to read about Yamaha India's scooter strategy for India.

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first ever bike magazine - absolutely free!

TVS Neo Step-thru to be launched?

2009-08-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

TVS has been selling the Neo in the south east Asian markets for over a year now and there is some speculation that TVS might try and revive the step through genre in the country since a face-lifted/modified version has been caught testing near TVS' factory at Hosur.
Step throughs, thanks to their larger wheels and forks are more adept at handling potholed roads compared to scooters and can be a compelling alternative especially for women riders.

Volvo S60 here by end 2010

2009-08-10T01:25:00.000-07:00

The Bold new Volvo S60 will be launched in India by the end of next year, following its global debut in mid 2010. The current S60 was phased out in may 2009 and is to be replaced by a comprehensively face-lifted car.
However, the car will be a CBU import from Belgium. The XC90 SUV and the S80 sedan haven't done so well in the last year or so since their launch, managing to sell just 100 odd units. Inspite of matching BMW, Mercedes and Audi in terms of Quality and safety and bettering them in terms of price, Volvo doesn't enjoy the German brands' snob value.
Whether the S60 will be able to change these perceptions remains to be seen.

Evo X coming to India

2009-08-10T01:02:00.000-07:00

The Evo might be available at a HM showroom near you early next year. However, contrary to whatever other news sources might claim, the Evo X might not retail for anything less that 40 lakh rupees.
But, even at that price, nothing really comes close to matching the Evo's performance. Its rally bred suspension, advanced four wheel drive system with electronic trickery and a dual-clutch gearbox give it true supercar-worrying performance.
Lets just hope that HM sees the sense in what the Evo can do for Mitsubishi's brand image in India and doesn't wait till the Evo XV before making up its mind.

Ford Endeavour Face-lift

2009-08-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

What you see here is the face-lifted face of the Endeavour, which will be here by august end. It gets a fresh new nose and some cosmetic accoutrements. In my opinion the new front end doesn't have the rugged charm of the old one and doesn't complement the Endy's otherwise 'vanilla' lines.
The Endeavour has been the best selling premium SUV for quite some time now and I suppose it is mostly thanks to its rugged looks. Messing with its looks seems to be a big risk, especially considering that Ford has got a good thing going.
It will be interesting to see whether Ford manages to hold on to the top spot once the Fortuner hits our shores.

VDO: Ken Block and Travis Pastrana on the sal flats

2009-08-08T04:55:00.000-07:00

This time around, the duo go around doing their thang on the salt flats

Aprilia RSV4 Tuono - latest spy pictures

2009-08-08T00:58:00.000-07:00

Motorcyclismo.it have spotted the Aprilia RSV4 Tuono on the Misano race track. In its most clear snaps, the Tuono reveals its intricate detailing. The bike in the pictures doesn't have Ohlins suspension and Brembo monobloc radial calipers which were seen on the bike which was spotted by another website earlier. This bike uses a cheaper set of underpinnings, which suggests that a cheaper variant of the bike will be available.

The Tuono retains the angular low-slung exhaust of the RSV4 superbike. While the test bike doesn;t have much of a paintjob over it, expect the finished product to have exquisite colour coating.

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first bike e-magazine. Absolutely free!

VDO: Burnout gone bad

2009-08-07T23:56:00.001-07:00

Here's a clip of a long burnout going bad as one of the bikes - a Yamaha Thunderace 1000 EXUP bursts into flames. The other machine, a Gixxer, feels some of the heat too! Kids - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME OR OUTDOORS OR WHERE EVER!

Apache RTR to get performance kits a la Yamaha R15

2009-08-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

TVS Apache RTR is soon to get a performance upgrade on the lines of the Yamaha R15 performance kit introduced recently. The RTR 180 as it is, is a nifty performer and gives the bigger 220s a good run for their money. With the performance upgrade, we expect it to be the outright performance king on the Indian streets. The company was supposed to launch the performance kit some time back, but postponed the launch due to some internal reasons. But our sources tell us that the kits will be out sooner than you think. And we don't even expect them to be half as expensive as the obscenely priced R15 upgrades. The Yamaha has a scare we'd reckon.

The RTR in its stock form produces about 17.5 PS or power. We expect the power to exceed 20PS with the kits. That'll endow the RTR with screaming performance and probably make it the fastest bike on sale in India in a straight line, as well as around a racetrack. We are keeping our finger crossed!

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first bike e-magazine. Absolutely free!

BMW to take Japanese bike manufacturers head on

2009-08-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

In a recent development, some highly placed BMW Motorrad officials have stated that they are not going to be content in being a niche player anymore, and that they want to take the Japanese Big Four head on in the international superbike arena. BMW is planning to price their S1000RR superbike bang in the price range of the 2010 Yamaha R1 to give the hot selling Japanese bike a good run for its money. The company is also injecting fresh, young blood in its marketing setup to connect better with the new generation. We see an interesting battle of SBKs brewing up. It's going to be fun!

Visit www.motoroids.com to download India's first bike e-magazine. Absolutely free!

Yamaha MotoGP bikes now as powerful as the Ducatis - says Rossi

2009-08-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

Valentino Rossi thinks that the performance of his MotoGP YZR-M1 engine is at par with the Ducatis now. The Ducatis have been having a massive advantage over their Japanese rivals in terms of straight line performance ever since the 800cc bikes were introduced in 2007.

While the previous season was a bit of a struggle for Yamaha, this year the Rossi-Lorezo duo of the Japanese firm have managed to win six out of ten races. Rossi says that the Yamaha team has become very strong this season. The key reason for that, according to Rossi was largely down to Yamaha making big improvements to the power delivery and acceleration of this year’s YZR-M1.

The eight-times world champion told UK based MCN "We have improved the engine a lot but we have really made big progress with improving the acceleration. It looks like the Ducati might still be a little bit faster, but we are more or less on the same level. Last year was different, and especially two years ago it was a lot different."

VDO: Tuner car vocals

2009-08-07T05:01:00.001-07:00

Ford's Small Car caught testing

2009-08-07T02:15:00.000-07:00

This is Ford's new small car that will soon make its way into the market. It is essentially the mk5 generation Fiesta that was face-lifted in 2005. So essentially it will already be close to five years old when it goes on sale in India. The Ikon as we know it also was actually an old Fiesta (the mk4 - face-lift circa 1999) with a boot added to it.

Indians will find it familiar inside-out because of its resemblance to the Ford Fusion. However expect the interior to be partially beiged-up to suit Indian tastes. The fiesta already looks dated compared to rivals like the i20 and will have a tough task ahead of it.

We would have really loved to see the new Fiesta make its way to our shores not a previous generation car. But that would have been equally or even more costly than the Honda Jazz, and Ford India doesn't have the confidence to sell a hatch that expensive, however, brilliant it may be, atleast not right now.
The Fiesta that's coming to India is not a bad car mind you. It has been a firm favorite in Europe for years, thanks to its class leading dynamics, sensible engine options and bang on pricing. It is the car that kept the Ford of Europe afloat while its American counterpart struggled against bankruptcy. It is known as one of the best handling cars for its price and has charmed petrol-heads the world over with its effervescent character.

I hope that the little Ford gets an equally warm reception in our country, and someday they might be in a position to bring us the latest Fiesta as well as the Focus and the Mondeo that have been long time coming.

Porsche 911 Turbo 2010 - First pictures out!

2009-08-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

These are the first pictures of the new Porsche 911 Turbo which is the fastest, sharpest and the most brutal 911 to have seen the light of the day. the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the GT-Rs of the world have a new scare!

The new car will feature a twin-turbo direct injection 3.8-litre flat six engine. The engine, picked basically from the Carrera S has revised variable-vane twin turbochargers to increase responsiveness and power. The result is a 20bhp boost in power, which is now rated at 493bhp.

According to Porsche sources, the new cars will have a more playful character compared with the outgoing version with power biased more towards the rear wheels. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard and a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK is optional. The gear ratios have been revised and the clutches are larger when compared with the other 911s.

Also, as a first, the 911 gets proper paddle shifters, replacing the flawed button shifters to change gears in PDK models. The paddle shifters come at no extra cost. The new 911 turbo now does a 0-100km/h sprint in a super quick 3.4 seconds, about 0.3 seconds quicker than the older version. The top speed too has increased by 2mph to 194mph.

Stay tuned for more pictures, wallpapers and news on the new 911 Turbo

2010 Maruti Suzuki Swift

2009-08-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

The Swift has become a volume player for Suzuki not only in India, but across the entire globe! The Japanese giant has now decided to breath a hint of fresh air into this model by giving it its second facelift. Seen here are the spy shots of the new Swift on test. Expect the car to be a combination of rakish and curvaceous body lines in various sections of the design. The headlights and tailights will retain the same outer shape, however the internal arrangement of the bulbs and refelctor elements will be significantly different and will hint towards a sporty design. The new Swift will be shown in flesh at the upcoming 2010 Auto Expo.

Pics Source: Diablomotor

VDO: Accelerator

2009-08-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

If you have a couple of mins. to spare, then check out the video of this upcoming project called the 'Accelerator'. We dont know if its a movie or a tele-series or a spoof, but whatever it is, its just plain stupid!

2010 models coming thru: Yamaha Vmax

2009-08-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Vmax has no technical upgrades what so ever. So the only difference comes in the form of a new paint scheme - a combination of Silver and metallic red. Click on the image below for more wallpapers of the 2010 Yamaha Vmax:

VDO: Shaggy's Fly High

2009-08-05T22:58:00.000-07:00

Loads of eye candy!!
Check out the music video of Shaggy's new track "Fly High":

Mercedes E-Class Estate 2010 revealed

2009-08-05T09:05:00.001-07:00

These are the official pictures of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Estate. It is the latest addition to the expanding E-Class family. It is evident from the pictures that the front end of the E-Class gets carried over to the Estate variant. The E-Class estate sports the same characteristic grill, geometric quad headlamps and angular day-time running LED’s of the E-Class saloon.
The Mercedes E-Class Estate will come equipped with all the regular E-Class features including ‘Airmatic’ self-levelling suspension, Adaptive Damping, Attention Assist and ‘Pre-safe’ braking. The Estate gets an additional pelvic airbag apart from the seven airbags that are offered on the saloon.
The E-Class estate claims to offer load carrying capacity upto 1950 litres. The estate will offer buyers four engine options to choose from. The diesel mills include the E220 CDI and E250 CDI which produce 170bhp and 204 bhp respectively. The diesel engines also have an efficiency figure of 48.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 150g/km.
The petrol mills include the 200 CGI and the 250 CGI producing 183bhp and 204bhp respectively. The petrol engines have an efficiency figure of 36.7mpg and 35.3mpg while the CO2 emissions are at 179g/km and 191g/km respectively. It is likely that the E350 CGI V6 producing 292 bhp and the 5.5 litre E500 V8 producing 388 bhp may also be included in the engine options.
The Mercedes E-Class is expected in showrooms by early 2010 and is likely to retail for upwards of Rs.26 lakhs approx (UK).

Mazda Superlight Concept: First official pictures

2009-08-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

These are the pictures of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car. The pictures clearly suggest that the concept car is based on the MX-5 Speedster with the lack of a windscreen and different looking, lighter body panels being the distinguishable features. The concept car doesn’t even get to sport door handles! The Superlight concept car will be showcased at the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt motor show.
It is highly probable that the Superlight Concept has been created by Mazda to celebrate the MX-5’s 20 years of existence. The manufacturer claims that the concept car is a self-present for giving birth to the world’s best selling two-seater sports car. Although the official pictures have been released on the internet there are no technical specifications or information available.
It is highly likely that concept car will be powered by either of the MX-5’s current two 1.8 or 2.0 litre petrol engines. The evident weight reduction will definitely affect performance, handling, economy, and CO2 emissions positively. There has been no official announcement with respect to the MX-5 Superlight Concept reaching production stage, although with Mazda you can’t really predict anything.

VDO: BMW Power

2009-08-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

BMW's F1 operations might be on hold now, but that hasn't stopped the Bavarian giant from showcasing some of its prowess. Featured here are Nick Heidfeld and Troy Corser swapping their world championship machinery and racing against each other around the Nurburgring circuit. Enjoy!

2010 models coming thru: BMW S1000RR

2009-08-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

Its been hardly a few months since the controversial looking BMW S1000RR litre-class bike has made its public appearance. However, the German bike maker has already unveiled its new color scheme for 2010 - the Bavarian white-with-red-and-blue-stripes!

We think it looks stunning as compared to the metallic green that we have seen so far. No technical changes ofcourse, the new paint scheme can be seen in action in the video posted in the earlier blog entry. For more images of the new paint scheme, click on the image below:

2010 models coming thru: Harley Davidson

2009-08-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

If you are an avid biker and follow new launches every year, then you must be very well aware that such models are generally unveiled/previewed between the months of October and November, before they go on sale by February of the following year. This year however, the trend seems to be changing, with the first of the 2010 unveiling already under way.

Enter the 2010 model range of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles! For the next calendar year, the American bike maker will have as much as 9 new models on sale to cater to the young generation. All the models will benefit from HD's new 'Midnight Pearl' plating technology which gives a novel finish to all the metal parts like the headlight, clutch and derby covers etc.. Other upgrades include slimmer exhaust pipes, slammed suspension, optional larger front wheel, new tail light assembly and the oh-so-popular flame paint jobs.

The company seems to have blown in a lot of dough in these new models to try and save the sales from depleting further, but we guess it would need much more than that to cope with the Japanese competition. If HD's plans of entering India bear fruit, then these would well be the models you could spend some valuable rupees on.

Click on the image above for HD's 2010 model gallery

Suzuki Kizashi

2009-08-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

This is the new Suzuki Kizashi D-Segment sedan that will launched by year-end.
The Kizashi looks looks like a spruced up SX4 when viewed head-on, while the bulbous rear end, roomy though it might be, looks totally unsightly. However a fugly derriere never stopped the Dzire from being a super-hit, did it?
The interiors however are top notch with a de rigueur, dual-tone, floating dash, nice flowing lines and loads of space.
The Kizashi will come with a 2.4 litre petrol engine, equipped with variable valve timing, a six speed manual gearbox and an optional CVT automatic transmission. The Kizashi will also spawn a hybrid and a 4-wheel drive version later, though how much of all this (apart from the manual) will make its way to India remains to be seen.
In terms of features and size, the Kizashi is a direct rival to the Accord and Camry. But Expect Maruti-Suzuki to come up with pricing very close to the Civic, Corolla Altis, Laura and the upcoming Chevy Cruze, hoping to cause a major upheaval in the entry-luxury segment.
Whether the Kizashi will be able to achieve what the Hyundai Sonata never could?
Well, judgding by our nations love for Marutis, the Kizashi might just pull it off.

2009 R15 - The new colours...

2009-07-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Ken Block Gymkhana 2!

2009-06-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Wondering who this Ken Block guy from the 'DiRT 2' video is?
Check this out and be amazed!!

E3: Auto Games to watch out for...

2009-06-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

DiRT 2:

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Forza Motorsport 3:

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Gran Turismo 5:

Gran Turismo 5 PSP:

Aston Martin DBS Volante Wrist Watch

2009-06-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Fireblade vs. Fireworks vs. Golf Ball!

2009-06-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite Top Gear presenters, Richard Hammond, takes on a cracker rocket and a golf ball with his 300 km/h Fireblade! Let the video do the rest:

Honda's 2009 CBR 600 and 1000

2009-06-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

CBR600RR:

CBR1000RR:

Kawasaki ZX-6R Commercial

2009-06-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Valentino Rossi / 2009 R1

2009-06-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a new advertisement featuring the MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi and the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1:

Terminator Salvation

2009-06-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

Terminator 4 is about to hit theatre screens soon. The latest version of the movie features even more advanced machines as the last movie, Terminator 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES signified. One of these machines is an advanced motorcycle called the MotoTerminator with the trademark Red Eyes of the Terminator as its headlights. Sony Japan recently showed the teaser of the upcoming movie and features glimpses of the MotoTerminator. Just push play:

Brilliant Save by Raffaele de Rosa

2009-06-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

VDO: Terminator Salvation Trailer

2008-12-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

VDO: Valentino Rossi / 2009 R1

2008-12-15T00:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a new advertisement featuring the MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi and the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1:

Indians still like subtle colours...

2008-12-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

According to a latest study by DuPont regarding the most preferred colours for cars throughout various countries, it was proved that 'White' (Solid/Pearl) still tops the list. And India is no different as 28% of the votes prefer White cars, with Silver finishing a close second at 27%. Red, which is considered auspicious by many throughout our country lies at 3rd with 12% votes. Goes to show that the subtle shades are what people prefer in today's market. If you go to think about it, aren't all our politicians roaming around in White cars as well? Maybe they contributed to these 'votes' a lot....

For a detailed view, click on the image for a larger view:

First Pics: 2009 Mercedes Benz E-class

2008-12-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

The internet, as we always harp, is an unsafe place. A few shots of the 2009 Mercedes Benz E-class ( E500) have leaked onto the net. Click on the pics for a NOT-SO-LARGE view...

Suzuki unveils its imports...

2008-11-26T01:19:00.000-08:00

Suzuki joins the CBU bandwagon following Yamaha and Ducati and now becomes the third bike maker to launch its high capacity bikes in India. The Japanase manufacturer has today launched its flagship model - the Hayabusa along with the much hyped cruiser, the Boulevard M190R (also known as Intruder M1800R in some markets). The bikes are priced at an ex-showroom price of 12.5 lakhs Rs. (2 lakh more than the YZF-R1).
On sale? NOW!

VDO: 2009 ZX6-R Commercial

2008-11-24T01:30:00.000-08:00

VDO: 2009 Honda CBRs

2008-11-24T01:28:00.000-08:00

CBR600RR:

CBR1000RR:

Sorry for the delay :(

2008-11-24T01:26:00.000-08:00

Thousand apologies to all our readers for the delay in updates. Had been ultra busy for the past few days and hence the slack. Anyway, we are back now, and the updates will follow soon. Till then, feast you eyes on the videos above!

Dr. Vijay Mally strikes deal with Mclaren...

2008-11-10T05:52:00.000-08:00

Force India ended their partnership with Ferrari as the 2008 season came to an end. Though Ferrari gave them great support throughout the season, Force India decided to look elsewhere in the pitlane for technology under the hood for 2009. And while doing so, it seems they have decided to enter the Mclaren backyard for the 2009 VJM02!

The deal includes a supply of gearboxes, hydraulic systems and the KERS, apart from the basic engine. The deal will also give Force India an access to Mclaren's other vendors for rest of the components if needed. This would be the first time in the history of Mclaren that the company will support a satellite team with their technology. Talking to the media, team boss Vijay Mallya said, "We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce a technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, and also our plan to expand the composite manufacturing capability and drawing office within our Silverstone facility."

F430 Scuderia goes topless!

2008-11-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

Ferrari put the outstanding F430 on a crash diet and gave the world an insanely fast F430 Scuderia. But now, to celebrate their championship victory of the 2008 F1 season, the Italian manufacturer has launched a topless version of the 430 Scuderia in the form of a 'F430 Scuderia Spider 16M'. The car uses a 4.3-litre V8 producing a stagerring 530PS! It uses a 6-speed F1-g'box and manages a 0-100km/h run in less than 3.8 seconds! Only 499 units will be made with bookings starting now!

Audi R8 coming tomorrow!

2008-11-06T05:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, Audi's ultimate sports car is coming tomorrow! At an estimated price of 1.17 crores, the car will be on the 'to-buy' list of many rich blokes in the country. More info will follow....

Ducati unveils new logo and the Street Fighter!

2008-11-03T22:45:00.000-08:00

The ultimate Italian marquee has unveiled a new logo on the eve of the EICMA show.
The new logo for their street exotics continues the evolution of the historic brand and now unites the word 'Ducati' and the 'Ducati Corse Shield' - seen first time for their street bikes. The logo will be officially unveiled at the EICMA along with the new 'Street Fighter' motorcycle (below).

More info HERE.

VDO: Fireblade vs. Fireworks vs. Golf Ball!

2008-11-02T22:56:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite Top Gear presenters, Richard Hammond, takes on a cracker rocket and a golf ball with his 300 km/h Fireblade! Let the video do the rest:

F1: Title decider today!

2008-11-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

Its been a great F1 season this year, as yet again, the title battle has come down to the last race. Hamilton currently leads the standings with a 7 point lead of Massa. The Brazilian however, will race on his home turf today and has already cemented his confidence with a pole position at yesterday's qualifying.

Hamilton is on the second row of the grid with a fourth position in qualifying. However, for Massa to take the title, he'll not only have to win, but will also have to pray that Hamilton finishes is 6th or worse to negate the points advantage Hamilton holds. With Kimi Raikonnen in 3rd place on the grid, its but understood that team orders will come into play and the Finn will try his best to hold back Hamilton and let Massa increase the distance.

We are all geared up for the grand finale tonight...are you?

Catch the action live on Star Sports at 2130 hours tonight!

More 370Z! - NFS:UC Trailer

2008-10-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

EA has released one more trailer of theit upcoming NFS: Undercover game. This one marks the debut of the 370Z in the virtual world!

Game On!: Flatout Ultimate Carnage Review

2008-10-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

When we got our hands on the Flatout: Ultimate Carnage DVD, we thought it was just another racing game. But while the game was installing itself on our hard drive, we went through the manual and it quickly suggested that the game was anything but ordinary racing – it’s a blend of destruction derbies, circuit racing and a lot of stunts. The moment we played the first event, we were hooked on. Flatout starts off with the plain vanilla race mode, where the gamer races across three different tiers of difficulty with the most basic being derby cars and the highest being ultra-fast supercars. The victories and destruction earn the racer ‘credits’ which can be used to buy more cars.

The ‘Carnage’ mode engages the player into four non-traditional racing types – Carnage, Deathmatch Derby, Stunts and Beat-The-Bomb. This mode stresses on earning as many credits as possible by destroying everything in sight – from fences and bridges to starting poles and fellow racers. The racer’s position isn’t relevant; it’s the credits that decide the standing.

The ‘Stunts’ is what the Flatout franchise is acclaimed for on the consoles. With the use of Rag-doll Physics, the developers have created a unique arcade experience where the gamers crash their cars in order to send the driver flying into various arenas like basketball, baseball curling etc.

For many who have shed their teenage attire and got themselves strangled into the nine-to-five routine, the day ends on a hectic note. But amongst all this, if you were to keep your passion for gaming alive, you definitely wouldn’t want a game that needs you to put your brains to work. You need a game that helps you relax, bust all the stress out of you and give you the chance to destroy everything in sight – something you wish to do every time your boss cribs. Flatout is definitely that kind. It’s the ultimate blend of Quake-style mayhem packaged with arcade racing into a game that also looks visually appealing. And at a legit price of INR 999, the game is definitely the cheapest stress therapy you can buy!

Official Pics: Nissan 370Z

2008-10-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Following the Z-series of sports cars that Nissan is famous for, the 370Z would be the newest offering for 2009. While there were a lot of spy pics and videos floating around the net, a lot of artist gave us their impressions on what the car would look like. Since the car wasn't of much relevance to India, we didn't post the spy pics earlier. But since its once of the hot favorites amongst the enormous NFS fans we have in the country, and the fact that the 370Z is going to be one of the most significant cars in NFS:UC, we decided to post the first official pictures of the car. Here you go then:

2010 Porsche Boxster and Cayman

2008-10-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

Auto Week claims these photos to be the official 2010 Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman. They dont exactly look like a rendering and might just be the real studio shots. Upon global launch, expect a 6-month gap before these entry level Porsches come to India.

2010 Porsche Cayman:

2010 Posrche Boxster:

Leaked: Sketches of future Audis

2008-10-29T22:21:00.000-07:00

The internet is definitely an unsafe place. Recently, the sketches of Audi's future models leaked onto the net and show the brief designs of the A5 Cabriolet, A7 four-door coupe and the 2010 A8 luxury sedan. Here you go:

New Toyotas coming your way....

2008-10-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

A few ago, we scooped you on Toyota's plans for India with the new Yaris hatch, Yaris sedan and RAV4 softroader. Though there has been no further news on the RAV4, the Car India magazine has confirmed this month that the Yaris sedan is coming soon.

The other news though is Toyota's plan to finally get the Fortuner to India after a long internal debate. The SUV will be imported as a CKD and will be assembled locally. Since they are targeting the CR-V with the Fortuner, the RAV4 plans for India look a little meek now. The Fortuner will most probably hit showroom floors by mid-2009.

Also on the cards is the diesel variant of the Altis. Unfortunately though, the engine mountings for the 2.0-litre diesel mill that is already sold in the Altis in the UK are different than the petrol. Toyota hence is considering a tuned version of the 1.4-litre mill from the Yaris sedan in the diesel Altis. This will further help reduce costs due to the platform sharing.

The hottest news though, is that of two low-cost cars that Toyota are working on.

An entry level sedan, which is said to be based on the Yaris platform again, is being developed with a $8000 (INR 4-lakh) figure in mind. The car is in its final stages of development and will be produced in India by 2010 and in Brazil by 2011. Both the countries will play as a mass production hub for this car to export to the rest of the world. Another low cost car is a hatch which is being targeted at $5000 (INR 2.5-lakh) to penetrate into the fast growing ultra-low-cost-city-car segment which will soon see TATA, Hyundai and Nissan-Relnault-Bajaj as the major players. The car though will be launched ages after the others come out into the market, with the most probable year being 2015. Since the two cars will be ultra cheap as compared to other Toyotas, it may harm their brand image, and hence the Jap firm is considering a new brand for these apart from its current siblings - Lexus and Dihatsu.

Ferrari may write off F1 by 2010

2008-10-28T03:40:00.000-07:00

The most prominant livery on the F1 enviorns - the scarlet red Ferrari, may soon disapprear from the grid, come 2010. Max Mosley's latest brainwave of using a similar engine on all the race cars to drop produciton costs, has led to this debacle. While most F1 teams are against this rule, Max seems pretty stern on implementing this rule.

Ferrari amongst all other teams believes that such a rule will question the very basis of Formula 1 - which in iteself is an engineering challenge. If the FIA goes ahead and implements the rule, the Italian marquee will walk out of F1 and find solace in some other motorsport. The official statement from Ferrari is as follows:

"The Board of Directors of Ferrari SpA met today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo, to examine the third quarter results. The Board of Directors also examined the proposed changes to the Formula One regulations, in the light of the current global economic crisis.
"Whilst reiterating its wholehearted commitment to a substantial and needed reduction in costs in Formula One, starting with propulsion, the Ferrari Board of Directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d’etre based principally on competition and technological development.
"The Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport."

100 posts and Happy Diwali!

2008-10-28T03:35:00.000-07:00

We have reached a 100 posts in the last 5 months. Thanks to everyone for all the support and appreciation. We will continue to serve in the times to come. Keep checking the blog and post your comments! It will only help us get better.

Oh yes, and Happy Diwali to all our readers! Have a great time this week....

Suzuki's 150cc bike launched

2008-10-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

As we scooped you before, the new 150cc bike for Suzuki has been launched today. Christened the GS150R, the bike takes clues from the GS150 sold in South-East Asia. Design-wise, a lot of clues come from the Gixxers - especially the tail end and the basic layout of the headlight, which resembles the '07 GSX-R1000. No fuel injection for this bike yet, as it uses 26mm carbs to feed the 150cc engine. However, a stylish digital console gives it a modern edge.

The bike was launched in Delhi today, however, it will be available in all showrooms before Diwali. It is not a performance contender at all, as the 13.8 PS engine is tuned for city riding and coasts of a strong mid-range grunt.

Further specs are as follows:

Engine:
Engine: 149 CC four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 2 valves, SOHC
Power: 13.8 PS @ 8,500 RPM
Torque: 13.4 Nm @ 6000 RPM
Gearbox: 6-speed
Fuel System: 26mm CV Carb
Wheels, Tyres and Brakes:
Wheels (F/R): 5-spoke 18" die-cast alloys
Tyres(F/R): 100/90-R18, 2.25/R18
Brakes(F/R): Single cross-drilled ventilated rotor with 2-pot calipers / Drum
Suspension:
Front: Telescopic Forks
Rear: Gas Charged type
Electricals:
Headlight: 12V 35W Halogen with Multifocal Reflector
Exhaust System:
Side mounted
Tank Capacity: 15.5 litres

Price:
Rs. 59,000 ex-showroom

French toast for India

2008-10-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

PSA Peugeot Citroen are finalizing plans to enter the Indian market once again. The French carmaker had entered India more than a decade back but failed to capture the market. This time around the company plans to follow a similar route they followed earlier - that of importing the vehicles to the country and finding local partners for sales and service. They may also consider multi-brand car showroom chains like the upcoming 'Carnation' for setting up their Indian network.

They plan to initally enter the market with low-cast fuel efficient small cars and then add mid-size sedans to the Indian portfolio. If things work out on par with their planned roadmap, PSA Peugeot Citroen should be in India by 2011.

Hero Honda's new launches

2008-10-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Every manufacturer likes to bank upon the festive season in India i.e. Diwali for new product launches and increased sales. HH is no different. The Gurgaon based company has launched fpur new models - Passion Pro Start, new Pleasure, new Splendor NXG and a new CBZ Xtreme.

The new Passion gets new stickers and an electric starter. The Pleasure and NXG get new graphics (yawn). The Xtreme gets an orange rear wheel, two-tone colours and clear-type indicators.